The eActros is on its way – our answers to your questions: Outlook

Step-by-step into the future.

In 2022, we will already be launching our next electric truck: the eEconic municipal operations specialist will start series production.

On the road.

To ensure this is the case, the electric motors have a special technological feature: they provide high torque across the entire engine speed range. This means that when the traffic lights turn green, you can pull away with sheer power and quickly reach your desired speed. And in doing so, there are much less vibrations than with a diesel-powered truck. The continuous output of the motors is 330 kW, while their peak performance sits at 400 kW.

But that’s enough about the drive system for now because the eActros also features a whole host of assistance systems such as MirrorCam, Active Brake Assist 5 and Sideguard Assist. Plus there is also the Multimedia Cockpit interactive, as well as comfortable seats and many more interesting items of equipment which provide valuable assistance in the daily operations of a trucker.

Safety first.

As part of this, a number of sensors were installed specifically to detect accidents. If actuated, they automatically disconnect the batteries from the on-board electrical system to ensure there is no risk of an electric shock when touching the vehicle.

Measures were taken for passive safety too: each battery is protected by a crash element to ensure that the forces of a side-on collision can be suitably absorbed. And finally, the driver also has the option to use the emergency-off button in the cab to manually isolate the batteries from the on-board electrical system.

Three or four battery packs?

You have to take a closer look. There are five factors that primarily affect the range. Firstly, the eActros can be equipped with three or four battery packs. Each can store an output of 105 kWh. So one battery pack more or less can make a big difference.

Secondly: is the body a dry box body or a refrigerated body? The refrigeration unit requires electricity which must also be provided by the batteries. That takes us straight to point number three: the load. It makes a big difference whether you're travelling empty, half-full or full.

The fourth point: thermal energy – in other words, heat. The motors of the eActros are highly efficient with very little output loss. However, if excess heat is produced, it must somehow be removed. Also you must factor in that the ambient temperature can be too high or too low for the batteries. In that case the batteries themselves have to be heated or cooled. The energy required for this is no longer available for the range.

And the fifth point is the field of operation and the driving style. Stop-start traffic in a city has a completely different performance profile from, for example, smoothly flowing traffic on a motorway or distribution haulage in a flat region. Whether you accelerate often or rarely, have a number of kickdowns or none, and the choice of recuperation level – those are all decisions that the driver makes, and they can make a big difference to the range.

However, you immediately notice the red-and-yellow emergency stop button on the right next to the electronic parking brake.

If the system is activated, you'll notice even more differences in the eActros: the left-hand side of the primary display behind the steering wheel doesn't just show the road speed, but also the anticipated remaining range. 

To the right of the primary display there is the so-called power meter. Whenever drive is required from the motor, the power meter shows the current electricity consumption in percent. If the eActros is in a coasting phase the motor can be used as an electric generator and recharge the batteries – the much-quoted recuperation. The power meter gives information about this in percent. 

The “Active Boost” display is located directly underneath it. During a kickdown it provides information on how long the additional power is available. Always in central view: the chosen gear and the drive mode.